Refrigerator



Nov. 26, 1929. G, w, MASON 1,736,884

I REFRIGERATOR Filed Augl 12, 1926 GEORGE M450 ,Patented Nov. 26, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE GEORGE W. MASON, 0F 1 )ETROIT, MICI IIGAN, ASSIGNOR T0 COPELAND PRODUCTS, INC.,

' OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN nnrmenna'ron Application filed August 12, 1926. Serial No. 128,134.

The primary object of my invention is to provide within a mechanically operated refrigerator, means for forming a supply of ice during the period of operation of the refrigerating machine which will serveto cool the food storage compartment of the refrigerator during the periods when the refrigerating machine is not in operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide a secondary means of cooling a mechanically operated refrigerator which will permit long periods of inactivity of the refrigerat-' ing machine.

A further object of my invention is to provide ameans within a mechanically operated refrigerator for making an extra sup ply of ice when the usual ice trays used for that purpose are not of sufiicientcapacity for the occasion. Y

\Vith these and other objects in View, my invention consists in the arrangement, combination and construction of the various parts of my improved device, as described in the specification, claimed in my claims and shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

The single figure is a frontelevation of a refrigerator with certain parts broken away showing an embodiment of my invention therein.

I have shown a conventional type refrigerator 1 having the motor, compressor and condenser of the refrigerating apparatus (not shown) positioned within the upper portion 2 of the cabinet 1. The expansion chamber or freezer 3 of the refrigerating apparatus is positioned in the upper portion of the food storage compartment 4 of the cabinet 1, and is connected with the compressor and condenser (not shown) in the upper portion 2. Ice trays 8 are removably positioned within theexpansion chamber 3.

Beneath the expansion chamber 3is positioned a drip pan 5 with its upturned edges 6 secured to the sides of the compartment 4. Inserted through the bottom of drip pan 5 and extending downward through the bottom of the cabinet 1 is a drain pipe 7. The upper end of the drain pipe 7 is extended above the bottom of drip pan 5 a sufficient distance to permit a desirable amount of water to accumulate and remain at all times in the drip pan 5. The water so accumulating in drip pan 5 is formed by the melting, during the inoperative periods of the refrigerating apparatus, of the frost which accumulatesupon the expansion chamber during the operating periods. A constant level'of water will be maintained in the drip pan 5 byv the drain pipe 7 which will drain away the excess water when the level reaches its extended open end in the drip pan.

A second -.drip pan 9 for receiving any water that may be formed by the melting of frost which may accumulate on the outside of drip pan 5, is positioned beneath drip pan 5 with its upturned edges 10 secured to the sides of compartment 4. The drain pipe 7 also extends through the bottom of drip pan 9 and has an opening 11 therein through which any water received by the drip pan 9 will drain away.

.In operation, the refrigerating apparatus will, during the freezing period cause the water in the drip pan 5 to freeze solid and thus provide a supply of ice which will serve .to cool the food storage compartment 4 when the spirit of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims such changes as may be reasonably included within the scope thereof.

What I claim is:

1. In a refrigerating cabinet, an expansion element, a container below said element adapted to receive drippings from said element, a second container below the first mentioned container adapted to receive drippings therefrom, and means for limiting the level of said drippings in the first mentioned container to a point between the top and bottom thereof and for draining the second men-' tioned container.

2. In arefrigerator cabinet, an expansion element, a freezing container positioned below and adjacent said element whereby to receive drippings therefrom, asecond container below the first mentioned container adapted to receive drippings from said'first mentioned container, and a drain tube projecting upwardly through both of said containers, said tube terminating between the top and bottom of said first mentioned container, and an opening in said tube Within said second container substantially in the plane of the bottom thereof.

GEORGE W. MASON. 

